Wire-fence machine.



No. 875,859. PATENTED JAN. '7, 1908. P. W., J. W. 6: W. SUMMER.

WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 11,1903.

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No. 875,859. 3 PATENTED JAN. 7, l908.'

P.-w., J. W; a W. SOIMMER. WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

APPLIOATIOH FILED SEPT. 11,1903.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No. 875,859. PATBNTED JAN. 7. 1908.

P. W., J. W. & W. SUMMER.

WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT, 11,1903.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

r n nt 7 1/ GP/Z flfiiliniv No. 875,859. PATENTED JAN. 7, 1908.

P. W., J. W. & W. SOMMER. WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 11,1903.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

WITNESSES: a INVE Tom :04: NORRIS IETEES cm. wasnmcnm, n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PETER W. SOMMER, JOSEPH W. SOMMER, AND WILLIAM SOMMER, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS.

WIRE-FENCE MACHINE.

are. 875,859.

Patented Jan. 7, 1908.

. Application filed September 11. 1903- Serial No. 172.745.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, PETER W. SoMMER, JOSEPH WV. Somalia, and WILLIAM SOMMER, citizens of the United States, residing at Peoria, in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wire-Fence Machines; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the in' vention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has reference to wire-fabric making machines, and relates to machines of the class for manufacturing what is known as the staggered-stay fencing. A fencing consisting of longitudinal strands of wire tied to ether in pairs by transverse strands or stays that are wound at their ends about two of the longitudinal strands, the stays being arranged in break-joint fashion.

One of the objects of the invention is to secure the feeding of the strand-wires through coilers disposed between two rows of stayfeeding devices; said stay-feeding devices comprising hoppers formed with reciprocating slides carrying the stay-sections, and revoluble carriers for depositin the sections of the stays into position to have their ends coiled around adjacent longitudinal wires.

A further object of the invention is a new and improved pullingout mechanism for uniformly advancing the several strandwires, attached to adjustable operative devices whereby the spaces between the stays may be lengthened or shortened; and combining therewith suitable take-up devices, and a registering device operated direct from the take-up devices.

More particularly does the invention herein relate to improvements upon a machine filed by us on September 11, 1903, Serial No. 172,744, wherein claims are made upon the stay-feeding devices and component parts; and these features are incorporated in the present application to show the relative arrangement and combinatio of such parts or mechanism with the improvements upon which claim is made.

Further objects and aims of the invention will be further understood, from the following specification together with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Figure 1 is a plan view on a greatly reduced scale of our improved machine; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same from one side;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same from the opposite side; Fig. 4 is a front elevation of tie machine somewhat enlarged, and with parts broken away; Fig. 5 is an enlarged elevation showing the adjustable connection between the oscillating frame and eccentric rods. Figs. 6 and 7 show two modified constructions of means which may be employed for oscillating the pull-out mechanism.

Referrin to the several views of the maeach of which intermeshes with a spiral gear H 7 on a longitudinal shaft 8 journaled in suitable bearings secured beneath the bed-plate or frame. The coilers are disposed vertically and at graduated distances apart for the purpose of producing a fabric having a graduated mesh from top to bottom; but it is understood the coilers may be arranged at uniform distances and operated with as good results. Each alternate coiler rotates in an opposite direction and to accomplish such rotation alternate gears 7 are rights and lofts, and are so arranged that the sections of a stay spanning the alternate spaces between the strands in a line are fed simultaneously and alternately; which brings the ends of adjacent stay-sections, although extending laterally in opposite directions, to be actuated successively by the same coilers and directs all such coils around the same strandwires in the same direction, which may be over or under. The coilers are constructed somewhat similar to those illustrated and described in the copending application referred to and it is not thought necessary to go into or show the details thereof in this application.

Supported on the bed-plate upon opposite sides of the coilers 5 is seen a series of hoppers or receptacles, conforming substantially to those described in the application referred to, having the side supports 10 .with inturned front and rear lips 11 forming sectional front and rear walls. They are further provided with the inclined reciprocal slides or bottoms 12. The outside portions of the slides or bottoms'12 are attached to the frames 13 and the latter at their extreme outer ends have the angular extensions 14 engaged by means for reciprocating the slides 12.

15 indicates a pair of parallel arranged shafts journaled in suitable boxings. On these shafts are carried a series of disks or feeders 16 provided with notches 17 at intervals in their peripheries. The disks are so disposed 'on the shafts that there are two in front of each hopper, one at each end thereof.

For a better understanding of the device; the coilers 5 are arranged in a row extending longitudinally and central of the bed-plate 4 with their upper portions protruding up through the bedplate. The hoppers are alternately disposed upon opposite sides of the coilers with the coilers adjacent to the inner faces of the disks 16, and the disposition of the hoppers is such, that from the hoppers on one side of the coilers is fed short staysecti'ons, or stays in break-joint fashion adapted to be coiled around the first and second strand. wires, the third and. fourth strand wires, etc., while from the hoppers on the other side is fed short stay-sections or stays in break-joint fashion adapted to be coiled around the second and third strand wires, the fourth and fifth strand wires, etc. The stay-feeding devices of the hoppers constituting a row'upon opposite sides of the coilers are timed in their movements to feed alternately the stay-sections, which in a completed fabric presents a staggered-stay fence.

The features above enumerated, as suggested, are all more or less similar to those described in the application referred to, and the mode of placing and feeding the staysections from the hoppers to the disks and from the disks to the coilers is the same as in the application referred to, and plungers as seen at 18 are provided in the hoppers to control and regulate the supply of the staysections to the revoluble carriers.

Referring to the shaft 9 which is a driving shaft, the same carries on one end the driving pulley 19 and the sprocket wheel 20, the latter by a chain 21 connecting with a sprocket wheel 22 drives a shaft 23. On the opposite end of shaft 9 is eccentrically carried a rod 24, which at its opposite end is connected to a link 25, which said link is carried by one of the shafts 15, and has the integral extension 26. To the extension 26 is attached a coupling rod 27 which at its opposite end is at tached to a link 28 which is carried by the opposite shaft 15. On each of the shafts 15, which it is understood carry the disks 16, is carried a rachet wheel 29. The teeth of these ratchet wheels are engaged by springpressed pawls (not shown) having connection with the arms or links 26 and 28. There are also carried by the shafts 15 the disks 30 having the corrugated or rolling peripheries 31. Coacting with such disks are the extensions 14 of the frame parts 13 through the rollers 32 carried by the extensions 14. The inner end of the extensions 14 are bifurcated, although not shown, to guide the extensions 13 in their movement. Thus it will be seen, by rotating the shaft 9 movement will be imparted to the shafts 15 through the ratchet and pawl movement, and rotate the shafts toward each other, imparting rotation to the disks in a step by step movement and through the disks 30 and rollers 32 reciprocate the bottoms 12 of the hoppers. Springs as at 33 connected with the opposite frame parts 13 serve to return the bottoms after umovement by the disks 30. These features as well as those referred to, relating to the stay-section feeder construction are alike shown in the application referred to, and in detail.

Referring now to the rear of the machine, a frame support is provided by the standards 34 and 35 extending up from the base 1. To these supports are journaled the transverse shafts 36, 37, 38 and 39. On these shafts are carried taking-up rollers or spiders 40 which also serve to crimp the strand wires, and by the following devices are driven con tinuously. 41 is 'a driving chain leading from a sprocket 42 on the shaft 23 to a sprocket wheel 43 on a cross-shaft 44. The speed is here regulated through gearing 45, 46 and 47; the latter carried by the shaft 36 and power imparted from shaft 36 through gears 48, 49, 50 and 51 carried by the shafts 36, 37, 39 and 38 respectively. The takingup rollers or spiders are directly connected with a re istering or tallying device for registering the number of feet or rods of fence made by the machine. A suitable tallying device indicated as 51 is operated by a chain 52 from a sprocket 53 on one end of the takeup shaft 37 (see Fig. 2).

52 denotes a pulling-out mechanism composed of suitable beams having a pivotal connection on a shaft or spindle 53 withthe upper end of the frame 34 see Fig. 1 in which boxings 54 are provided secured to the upper ends of standards 34 in which shaft 53 is journaled. On the shaft 53 is also seen 'a roller 55. The forward end of the frame 52' extends across and above the hopper supports and coiling devices and carries a roller 56 on a shaft 57 journaled in the frame, the-roller being similar to that shown at 55. 58 indicates reciprocal rods carried upon opposite sides of the machine and at their lower ends eccentrically connected with the opposite ends of the operating shaft 23, their upper ends adapted to be adjustably connected, see Fig. 5, with the forward ends of the beams forming the frame 52 through the slidable connections with the shaft 23.

59. The purpose of such slidable connections with the frame 52' is, to shorten or lengthen the movement of the frame 52 which is oscillated by the movement of the rods 58, to increase or decrease the distance between the stays coiled around the strandwires. It being understood that it is necessary or desirable to provide for the manufacture of a fabric, some of which shall have the stays spaced four inches apart, and others from four inches on up. The strands of the' fabric leaving the coilers are directed upwardly and over the roller 56 across to and down around the roller 55, around a roller 60 journaled in the standards 34 to and around the rollers or spiders a0 on the shafts 36, 37, 39 and 38 respectively, and from the roller or spider 40 on shaft 38 to a wrapper 61 whose shaft is journaled in bearings 62 on the base 1. In Figs. 1 and 3 is seen the l means actuated by suitable power devices 1 for operating the wrapper.

It will now be understood during the operation of the machine and the feeding of the strand-wires through the coilers, the shaft 23 is continuously rotated, which at predetermined periods through the eccentric rod con nections 58 therewith the forward end of the pulling-out frame 52 will be alternately raised and lowered or oscillated on its pivot 53, a given distance, governed by the adjustable connection of the slidable parts 59, as has been described. The raising of the pulling-out frame 52 uniformly draws an equal amount of the several strands through the coilers the lowering of the frame 52 preparatory to drawing the strand wires through the coilers will leave some slack in the wires, and it is during this interval in lowering the frame that the stay-sections are brought coincident and coiled around the strand wires. The taking-up rollers or spiders andwrapping devices being continuously driven take care of the finished fabric and take up the slack in the fabric during the interval of lowering the frame 52, which pulls the wires taut. The opposite end of the pulling-out frame 52 is connected by a yielding tension device 63 with the base 1, for the purposes apparent.

In Figs. 6 and 7 we have illustrated two other modes of oscillating the frames 52 through the rods 58 and connecting devices In Fig. 6 a cam 63 is attached to the opposite ends of shaft 23, the acting faces of which engage the rollers 6-1 on short spindles 65 fixed in a frame part 66 to which the lower end of'the rods 58 are secured. A slot 67 is provided in the frames 66 through which the shaft 23 'notrndes, and by this means guides the rods 58 in their movement. In Fig. 7 is seen a crank movement for reciprocating the rods 58, consisting in providing the cranks 68 attached to the ends of shaft 23 and said cranks are pivotally l connected at 69 with parts 70 to which the lower ends of the rods 58 are secured. Thus it will be seen various methods may be employed for reciprocating the rods 58 and together with the adjustable connection at 59 with frame parts 52' the desired results may be easily and readily accomplished.

We claim 1. In a wire fence machine, the combination of a bed frame, a plurality .of coilers mounted for horizontal rotation on said frame, standards extending up from the frame to the rear of the coilers, oscillating supports pivotally attached to the upper ends of the standards, and means connected with the forward ends of the oscillating supports over which the finished fabric is carried.

2. In a wire fence machine, means for feeding strand-wires, means for feeding staywires thereto, a pulling-out device for intermittingly advancing the strandwires in equal lengths, and means for lengthening or shortening the stroke of such pulling out device and thereby increase or shorten the space between the stays of the fence.

In a wire fence machine, the combination of a bed frame, a series of vertically disposed coilers rotatably mounted at one end of the frame, a pair of standards extending up from the said bed-frame, a pair of longitudinal and parallelly disposed frames pivotally attached to the upper end. of the bedframe, means adapted to oscillate the same, and rollers supported by the frames over which the finished fabric is carried.

4:. In a wire fence machine, the combination of a plurality of coilers through which strand-wires are fed, mechanism for feeding stay-sections to said coilers, pulling-out mechanism cooperating with said coilers comprising a pivoted frame carrying means around which the strand wires are carried, an operating shaft, rods operatively connected with said shaft and adjustably connected with parts of the frame, and yielding tension devices secured to the opposite end of the frame, substantially as specified.

5. In a wire fence machine, the combina tion of an oscillating frame, take-up rolls cooperating therewith, an operating shaft, rods operatively connected at one end with said shaft and at their opposite ends adjustably connected with said frame, and means for continuously operating said take-up rolls.

6. In a wire fence machine, the combina tion of pulling-out mechanism comprising an oscillating frame, adjustable connections between said frame and suitable power devices for increasing or decreasing the movement of said frame, take-u p mechanism cooperating with said frame, and means for actuating such take-u p mechanism.

7. In a wire fence machine, the combination of mechanism for feeding strand-wires,

mechanism for feeding stay-sections to have their ends coiled around adjacent strandwires, pulling out mechanism comprising an oscillating frame, take-up mechanism comprising continuously operated rollers, an operating shaft, adjustable connections between said shaft and said oscillating frame, and means for actuating said rolls.

8. In a wire fence machine, the combina tion of a plurality of coilers through which strand Wires are fed, mechanism for feeding stay-sections in lengths to span the spaces between the strand wires, an oscillating frame for intermittingly drawing the strand Wires through the coilers, and continuously driven take-up and wrapping devices, substantially as specified.

9. In a wire fence machine, the combination of a plurality of coilers through which strand-wires are fed, mechanism for feeding 20 stay-sections in lengths to span alternate spaces between the strand Wires, pulling-out mechanlsm for the strand wires comprising a pivoted frame carrying rollers around which the wires are directed, means for oscillating 25 the frame on its dpivot, and continuously driven take-up an wrapping devices, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof we our signatures, in presence of two witnesses.

PETER I/V. SOMMER. JOSEPH WV. SOMh/IER. WVILLIAM SOMMER. Witnesses:

CHAs. F. BAILEY, L. WILsoN. 

